Reactive target

ABSTRACT

A reactive target can comprise a support structure, an anchor coupled to the support structure, a target portion comprising one or more contact surfaces and an extended portion, the extended portion being rotatably coupled to the support structure, and a spring comprising a first end coupled to the target portion and a second end rotatably coupled to the anchor, wherein the target portion is configured to rotate radially between a first resting position and a second resting position in response to a contact force exerted on one of the one or more contact surfaces, wherein the spring is configured to exert a force on the target portion, the force directing the target portion to the first resting position or the second resting position.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/647,418, filed on Mar. 23, 2018, which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

This disclosure relates to a shooting target that resets to a ready position.

BACKGROUND

Reactive targets are one of the more popular style of targets among competition and recreational shooters. More specifically, reactive targets provide audible feedback as well as reset into a shoot-ready position after contact. However, conventional designs in this field have failed to address certain inadequacies and limitations of gravity-reactive targets and therefore, further innovation to overcome this lack of development is needed.

SUMMARY

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a back view of the reactive target in a ready position.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the reactive target in a ready position.

FIG. 3 is top view of the reactive target in a ready position.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the reactive target at a point of its radial motion.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the reactive target at a point of its radial motion.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a system of reactive targets.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention are hereafter described in detail with reference to the accompanying figures. Although the invention has been described and illustrated with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the combination and arrangement of parts can be resorted to by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the present invention as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Also, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.

As used in this application and in this application and in the claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Additionally, the term “includes” and “has” have the same meaning as “comprises.” Further, the term “coupled” does not exclude the presences of intermediate elements between the coupled items.

Reactive targets are popular because they provide audible feedback and reset to a ready position after contact with a projectile (e.g., a bullet). However, problems result from the design of many of these targets, including repeated failure to reset and/or failure to move at all. Specifically, these problems arise due to the reliance on gravity as the means of resetting the individual targets.

Many of these configurations render the individual targets capable of moving back and forth between two different shoot-ready positions. But because of the reliance on gravity, many, if not all, of these configurations must lean at specific angles and/or orientations in relation to the shooter to function properly. As a result, many possible target configurations are eliminated. For example, horizontal configurations having a downward hanging position and an upright position, are impracticable because the individual targets fail to stay in the upright position and/or require constant manually resetting by the user.

Further, gravity targets can differ in their response to the various calibers, sizes, and types of bullets used. For example, a heavy load on a lighter target can cause the target to bounce back and forth between the two ready positions in a “double-stop” style target, also requiring the user to manually reset the target and/or wait for the target to stop swaying.

The present disclosure neither requires gravity to reposition the targets nor for the target to rest at any particular angle. Rather, the present disclosure overcomes the limitations of current target designs by utilizing a mechanical spring to actuate the movement of the target regardless of whether on sloped or flat ground, positioned vertically or horizontally, and/or the user's choice of ammunition.

FIG. 1 shows a reactive target 100. The reactive target 100 can include a target portion 102 having an extended portion 104 extending from the body of the target portion 102 and rotatably coupled to a support structure 106, configured to receive the extended portion 104. The coupling of the extended portion 104 and support structure 106 therefore allows the body of target portion 102 to rotate radially between varying angles. The extended portion 104 can define a gap or a passageway through a portion of the target portion 102, as to allow passage of an object from one side to another. In other embodiments, the extended portion 104 can be defined by single or multiple extended portions 104.

FIG. 1 shows that the reactive target 100 can further include a spring 108. The spring 108 can include a first end coupled to the target portion 102 at an attachment point 110 and a second end rotatably coupled to anchor 112 at an anchor point 114. The attachment point 110 can be positioned such that the spring 108 extends through the length of the extended portion 104 along onto the surface of the target portion 102, as shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the attachment point 110 can include multiple attachment points located on the surface of the target portion 102 and/or the extended portion 104.

Furthermore, the anchor 112 can be proximate to the extended portion 104 and coupled to the support structure 106, where the anchor 112 can be configured to have a diameter greater than the diameter of an aperture meant to receive the anchor 112 in the support structure 106. Alternatively, the anchor 112 can take any shape and/or configuration to anchor the second end of the spring 108, including but no limited to being integral with the support structure 106. It will also be appreciated that the spring 108 may be coupled to the target portion 102 and anchor 112 in a number of different ways, including a clip, screw, adhesive, intermediate element, pin, integrated with the target portion 102 and/or any other suitable means.

FIG. 2 shows the reactive target 100 from the side and in a ready to shoot position. While in a resting position, the target portion 102 rests at an angle perpendicular, or close to perpendicular, to the support structure 106 while the spring 108 is minimally stretched from the attachment point 110 to the anchor point 114. The target portion 102 can also include a first contact surface 116 and a second contact surface 118 adapted to maintain its structural integrity from sustained contact from various ammunitions.

FIG. 3 is simplified for clarity and shows a top-down view of the reactive target 100 in a resting position, similar to the position shown in FIG. 2. The reactive target 100 of FIG. 3 shows the first contact surface 116 facing the shooter, the second contact surface 118 facing away from the shooter, and the target portion's 102 radial motion 124. The radial motion 124 represents one possible range of motion the target portion 102 experiences after being contacted with enough force from a projectile as to make it rotate radially around an axis defined by the extended portion 104 rotatably coupled to the support structure 114. As a result, the target portion 102 can be configured to transition from a first resting position 120 to a second resting position 122, where the first and second resting positions 120, 122 can lie on the same axis 122. The first and second resting positions 120, 122 direct the first and second contract surfaces 116, 118 toward the shooter at or nearly at the same angles, regardless of the orientation of the target portion 102. It may be appreciated that the radial motion 124 is not limited to the 180° range shown FIG. 3 but is desirable for those users wanting the contact surfaces 116, 118 positioned in a clear line of sight of the user or users. The radial motion 124 may have varying angles to accommodate various features and uses of the reactive target 100.

FIG. 3 also shows the spring 108 of the reactive target 100 coupled to the target portion 102 and to the anchor 112 of FIGS. 1 and 2. In some embodiments, the spring 108 can be an extension spring, or its equivalence, configured to resist a tensional force, where the greater the tensional force, the greater the resistance. As the target portion 102 rests in either the first or second resting position 120, 122, the spring 108 is in its lowest tension state and at its shortest length. However, the spring 108 in this low-tension position still exerts enough force on the target portion 102 that the target portion 102 rests firmly at either resting position 116, 120 when not in motion (e.g., before contact or after transition between the resting positions).

Conversely, FIGS. 4 and 5 show the target portion 102 at a midpoint of its radial motion 124 while moving between the first and second resting positions 120, 122. For example, once a bullet exerts enough force on the first contact surface 116 to overcome the force exerted on the target portion 102 by the spring 108 while in the first resting position 120. Otherwise, the low-tension of the spring 108 will retain the target portion 102 firmly in the first or second resting position 120, 122 without bouncing and/or requiring the user to manually reset the target portion 102.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the target portion 102 during its the radial motion 124 from the first resting position 120 to the second resting position 122. As the target portion rotates, the extended portion 104 here allows the spring 108 to pass through while the spring 108 rotates radially with respect to the anchor 112 and anchor point 114. While the target portion 102 is at the midpoint of the radial motion 124, the spring 108 and the target portion 102 are in alignment momentarily, where the spring 108 is at both its greatest length and tension state as it is stretched between the attachment point 110 and anchor point 114, as shown in FIG. 5. At this point, the resistance of spring 108 exerts its greatest force on the target portion 102, directed inward and toward anchor point 114. As shown in the FIGS. 3 and 5, the location of the attachment point 110 between the extended portion 104 and the distal edge of the target portion 102 and the location of the anchor point 112 being offset and in front of the target portion, the spring 108 exerts a greater force on the target portion 102 than it would at or nearly at point of rotation of the target portion 102. As the target portion 102 passes the midpoint of its radial motion 124, the resistive force created by the tension in the spring 104, quickly directs the target portion 102 to the next resting position (e.g. the first or second resting position 120, 122) by rotating it toward axis 126. As a result, targets will always be in the ready to shoot position without bounce back, ultimately making a safer shooting environment because less time will be spent down range resetting and repairing targets.

It will be appreciated that the target portion 102 and spring 108 can have varying designs, lengths, and/or material compositions to alter speed of rotation and the force required to rotate the target, to accommodate user preference and/or ammunition. For example, different thicknesses of the target portion 102 or loads of the spring 108 can be used to accommodate different calibers, loads, and bullet types. Additionally, the spring 108 may be interchangeable with other springs and/or adjustable to increase and/or lower the tension of the spring 108 by, for example, a simple adjustable spring mount. Furthermore, this system can be altered to accommodate many different target configurations, including but not limited to a dueling trees, plate racks, hostage targets, vitals targets, Texas Stars and other desirable configurations.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary reactive target system 128, including a plurality of reactive targets 100 coupled to an angled vertical stem 130. The vertical stem 130 can act as a shielding member to protect exposed portions of the spring 108 and extended portion 104 from damage. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, an angled shield member can protect the spring 104, anchor 112, and support structure 106 from projectile impact and/or deflect projectiles away from the shooter. Additionally, the reactive target system 128 can be placed horizontally, vertically, or any other angle due to the advantages the individual reactive targets 100 offer.

The features and advantages described in this disclosure and in the following detailed description are not all-inclusive. Many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art in view of the drawings, specification, and claims hereof. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes and may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter; reference to the claims is necessary to determine such inventive subject matter. 

I claim:
 1. A reactive target comprising: a support structure; an anchor coupled to the support structure; a target portion comprising one or more contact surfaces and an extended portion, the extended portion being rotatably coupled to the support structure; and a spring comprising a first end coupled to the target portion and a second end rotatably coupled to the anchor; wherein the target portion is configured to rotate radially between a first resting position and a second resting position in response to a contact force exerted on one of the one or more contact surfaces; wherein the spring is configured to exert a force on the target portion, the force directing the target portion to the first resting position or the second resting position.
 2. The reactive target of claim 1, wherein a midpoint rests between the first resting position and the second resting position, wherein the spring is configured to exert a force directing the target portion to the first resting position when the target portion rotates radially between the first resting position and the midpoint and wherein the spring is configured to exert a force directing the target portion to the second resting position when the target rotates radially between the second resting position and the midpoint.
 3. The reactive target of claim 1, wherein a midpoint rests between the first resting position and the second resting position, wherein the target portion is configured to rotate radially from the first resting position to the second resting position if the contact force exerted on one of the one or more contact surfaces is greater than the force the spring is configured to exert on the target portion.
 4. The reactive target of claim 1, wherein the spring rotates radially around the anchor.
 5. The reactive target of claim 1, wherein the spring is configured to rotate radially around the anchor and the extended portion is configured to enable the spring to pass through a portion of the target portion as it rotates radially around the anchor.
 6. The reactive target of claim 1, wherein the first resting position and the second resting position are separated by an angle of 180°.
 7. The reactive target of claim 1, wherein the anchor defines a first rotational axis at a first axis location and the extended portion at the point of which it is coupled to the support structure defines a second rotational axis at a second axis location, wherein the first rotational axis and the second rotational axis are parallel
 8. A reactive target comprising: a target portion comprising a first contact surface, a second contact surface, and an extended portion, the extended portion being rotatably coupled to a support structure; and a spring comprising a first end coupled to the target portion and a second end rotatably coupled to an anchor, the anchor coupled to the support structure; wherein the target portion rotates radially between a first resting position and a second resting position when a contact force is applied to the first contact surface or the second contact surface, wherein the first resting position and the second resting position have a midpoint therebetween; wherein the spring applies a force directing the target portion to the first resting position when the target portion is positioned at the first resting position or between the first resting position and the midpoint; wherein the spring applies a force directing the target portion to the second resting position when the target portion is positioned at the second resting position or between the second resting position and the midpoint.
 9. The reactive target of claim 8, wherein the spring is configured to rotate radially around the anchor as the target portion rotates radially between the first resting position and the second resting position, wherein extended portion is configured to allow the spring to pass through a portion the target portion as it rotates radially around the anchor.
 10. The reactive target of claim 8, wherein the target portion rotates radially between the first resting position and the second resting position if the contact force applied to the first contact surface or second contact surface is greater than the force applied by the spring directing the target portion away from the midpoint.
 11. The reactive target of claim 8, wherein the target portion rests perpendicular to the support structure in the first resting position and the second resting position.
 12. The reactive target of claim 8, wherein the spring is adjustable to increase or decrease the force on the target portion.
 13. The reactive target of claim 8, wherein the support structure and the anchor form a unitary structure.
 14. A reactive target system comprising: a vertical stem; two or more support structures coupled to the vertical stem; two or more anchors coupled to the two or more support structures; two or more target portions each comprising two contact surfaces and an extended portion, each extended portion being rotatably coupled to one of the two or more support structures; and two or more springs each comprising a first end coupled to one of the two or more target portions and a second end rotatably coupled to one of the two or more anchors; wherein the two or more target portions rotate radially between a first position and second position in response to a contact force applied to one of the two contacting surfaces; wherein the two or more springs apply a force on the two or more target portions to direct the two or more target portions to the first positions or the second positions. 